Gel Manicures: The Benefits, Cost, and How Long They Last

Whether you're already a gel-nail devotee or simply considering giving semi-permanent polish a try, chances are you may not know everything there is to know about gel manicures. The gel manicure has gained immense popularity for its ability to withstand a busy workweek, kid-friendly vacation, and days filled with hands-on projects but it's also garnered a bit of controversy around its UV-curing method. So what's the real deal with gel nails? Ahead, nail experts and a dermatologist share everything you need to know about gel manicures, including the benefits, cost, and safety considerations.

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Meet the Experts

• Sarah Gibson Tuttle is the CEO and founder of Olive & June.
• Evelyn Lim is the chief educator at Paintbox.
• Anastasia Totty is an educator and professional gel nail artist at LeChat Nails.
• Dr. Marisa Garshick is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.

What Is a Gel Manicure?

A gel manicure follows most of the same steps as your traditional manicure'your nails are cut, filed, and shaped, cuticles are cut (if you so choose), but that's where the similarities end.

Gel nail polish is painted on similarly to classic lacquer. However, it is cured with a UV or LED light to help lock it in place for long-lasting wear. Each coat of gel polish will need to be cured for about 30 to 60 seconds at a time. And instead of waiting for your nails to dry, you're ready to leave the salon as soon as the last topcoat cures. And as a bonus, 'Gel manicures are more resistant to chips and wear and tear,' says Gibson Tuttle. 'They also stay glossy for the duration of the manicure.'

How Long Do Gel Manicures Last?

Thanks to the curing process, gel manicures typically last anywhere from 10 days and up to three weeks. Totty says, "Gel manicures are designed to last around three weeks. Because of natural nail growth and wear and tear, anything beyond that usually does not look great. There are ways to improve wear with strengthening base gels."

And while gel polish alone is known for lasting longer than traditional lacquer, how it's painted on plays a big role. When applying gel polish (or any polish for that matter), you want to make sure that your nail beds are as dry as possible. That doesn't mean brittle'instead, there shouldn't be any water, lotion, or oils on your nail plates, as the presence of such could prevent your gel polish from latching on. 

As with any mani, chips and broken nails are still a possibility with gels; they're just not as likely. If you do chip or break a gel, it helps to have a nail file on hand at all times. 'File it to a shape you love and leave it be if you can,' Gibson Tuttle recommends. 'If it's obvious and you can't return to the salon immediately, we recommend finding a similar polish to cover up any gaps in the color.'

The Cost

In general, expect gel polish to cost about $10 to $15 more than your regular manicure, depending on where you live. The cost of a gel manicure varies widely between cities, states, and nail techs. In major cities like LA and New York City, a gel manicure can cost anywhere from $30 to $50+. Keep in mind that you'll also have to pay for gel removal (anywhere from $5-$15 depending on location) if you decide you don't want to take it off at home.

Gel Nails vs. Shellac Nails

While many consumers use these terms interchangeably, there is a difference: gel manicures use true gel polish, while shellac manicure use a hybrid formula of gel and classic polish. Personal preference is the main differentiator in popularity as both options provide a semi-permanent manicure at a similar price point'albeit with more gel nail color options generally available.

Professional vs At-Home Gel Manicure

If you've seen the latest lineups of gel nail polish offerings from brands like Deborah Lippman or Sally Hansen, you may be wondering what the deal is. Often packaged as duos of laquer and top coat, these pairings claim to offer similar chip-resistant, long-lasting results to gel manicures minus the UV curing process. Unlike classic gel manicures, the polishes don't necessarily need to be applied by a salon pro. In addition to the decreased risk of nail damage, these polishes also come at a much lower price point. At-home gel nail kits are definitely an option, but it's important to keep in mind that the results will be comparable to a professional manicure, not identical. The steady hand and long-lasting results of an in-salon gel manicure can't be beat.

Are Gel Manicures Safe?

UV lights and their possibly carcinogenic side effects are the primary safety concern when it comes to gel manicures. The thought is that the small UV lamps used to cure gel manicures could have similar skin cancer implications as tanning beds, a link that was explored in a study. Based on the study, 'there is not enough evidence to specifically state how often to get gel manicures [to remain safe]," says Garshick. However, she adds that it's always better safe than sorry. Besides minimizing the frequency of gel manicures, she recommends to "use UV protection, including wearing sunscreen or UV protecting gloves" during your treatment. (Any broad-spectrum SPF 30+ is recommended, but you can find our favorite hand sunscreens here).

Fortunately, due to the concerns, Totty says many salons of switched over to LED lamps to replace the possibly harmful UV lamps. "Over the last couple of years, gel manicures have become the most popular service in any salon. There has been ample research regarding damage to skin and nails; the traditional UV lamps used for curing these products have different bulbs than traditional 'tanning beds,' and most nail brands are switching to LED lamps simply because they cure the product in 30 seconds compared to two to three minutes using a UV lamp."

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Can Gel Manicures Damage Your Nails?

Aside from the potential UV damage (the full effects of which are still being studied), gel manicures can also damage your natural nails. Gel polish can be fairly drying, leaving your natural nails more brittle underneath the polish. However, experts agree the worst of the damage comes from improper removal.

'The biggest disadvantage to gel manicures is improper removal,' Gibson Tuttle shares. 'You can avoid this by properly (and patiently) removing the polish yourself at home or seeking manicurists who take their time in removal to protect your nails.'

To keep your natural nails strong, our experts recommend taking breaks between gel manicures (alternate between gel and regular polish manicures, or leave nails bare of polish for at least 1-2 weeks between gel manicures). Between gel appointments, you should also take additional steps to strengthen your nails, such as applying cuticle oil.

How to Safely Remove a Gel Manicure

It's always best to visit a professional for gel nail removal (which usually costs about $10-$15). But when that's not possible, it can be done at home with a little time and patience. First of all, gel nail polish should never be peeled or picked off the nails, which can rip off the protective top layer of your nail. Instead, to remove gel polish at home, you'll want to follow these specific instructions to avoid damage to your natural nails.

'First, file the gels to break the topcoat seal,' says Gibson-Tuttle. 'Then, place cotton balls soaked in pure acetone on your nails and wrap your fingertips in tin foil.' Let them sit for 10-15 minutes before attempting to remove the polish. Once the timer goes off, use a wooden nail stick to gently lift the remaining polish. The gels should remove easily with minimal pressure and pushing; if they're not lifting off of your natural nails with minimal effort, repeat the acetone soak for another 10-15 minutes.

According to all three experts, a cuticle oil or serum is your BFF post-gel mani. 'Your nails will be on the brittle side due to the removal solution, so it is important to rehydrate your nail,' Lim says. We also recommend "slugging" your nails with an occlusive like Vaseline to keep them nourished.

The Takeaway

If you're looking for a set-it-and-forget-it solution to constant nail polish upkeep, a gel manicure could be the answer to your prayers. A single salon appointment can offer a glossy, chip-resistant manicure that should last anywhere from 10 to 20 days. For the safest approach, experts suggest opting for LED lights instead of a UV lamp for the curing process and wearing sunscreen. To maintain the health of your nail beds, always see a professional for removal, apply cuticle oil, and never, ever try to pick or peel off the gel yourself. If you find your nails react poorly to gel nail polish, consider a long-lasting alternative.

Getting a gel manicure.

 Nowadays, there are more ladies going for the gel polish instead of acrylic and other nail polish. Gel polish is different from all other types of polish because it is thicker than the regular polish and it dries so much faster. It takes about 2 to 3 minutes under the UV light. It is glossier than others and lasts longer on natural nails say for about 12 to 15 days. Gel manicure becoming a beauty phenomenon is not surprising at all. Has it ever occurred to you before? spending hours in the beauty salon only to dig through your bag to pick your keys and there you have it; your freshly painted nails are dented! With the arrival of gel polish to the beauty scene, many naysayers insisted that this polish is too good to be true: they are quick to dry, shiny, glossy and they are practically bulletproof with colors that won't budge for at least 3 weeks! This is a fashion miracle and a word of advice to my ladies out there, go get your gel manicure done. You'll thank me later.

Things to know before getting a gel nail. 

The super power ability to stay glossy all week without any form of dent or fading is not all there is to know about the gel polish, there are various other important facts about it we need to note.

• Gel polish manicure differ from acrylic ones.  Acrylic usually refer to the liquid and powder mixes, combined into a blob of dough and then applied onto your nails with a brush. Gel polish are applied on the nails and then cured under the UV light. In contrast to acrylic nails which are more porous, gels have a harder non-porous surface and hence the polish used on both nails are quite different. Gel polish can be applied quickly not necessarily requiring a professional touch while acrylic ones most times have to be done in the nail salon.
• Gels lasts for 3-4 weeks. The most interesting part of the gel nail is how they last.  At those times of the year where you have events back to back like weddings, family vacations, interviews, dinner dates and baby showers, gels can be the perfect fit as they last for three full weeks without the polish slightly chipping. (I know right, it's totally fabulous). And there is a plus, no matter how long it lasts, you'll admire and enjoy your nails the entire time.
• Gel nails are affordable. The price of getting your gel nails done depends on where you live, but also greatly depends on the type of look you want to go for.  If you want to achieve a celebrity nail look, you'll spend up to $100 and, minus tip. But if you want that simple but pretty look, you'll spend about $20 which is light on your purse and lasts more than a regular mani.

Pros and cons of Gel nail polish.

When applying gel nails, two to three layers of gel nail polish is applied. While this is being done, every layer of the polish is being cured with a UV light. The process is generally faster than having an acrylic nail applied. The gel nail polish is a serious competition to other nail polishes and we will discover this below.

1. Gel nail polish gives a more natural and realist look. You could barely tell of the nail is actually fake or real. This nail polish has a natural finish to them and all ladies are able to enjoy them.
2.  The process of polishing your nails is odorless, unlike the acrylic nails.
3.  Some types of polish are considered non-healthy for pregnant woman but definitely not gel nail polish, they do not sideline the pregnant women that still want to take good care of their nails.
4. Gels add a glossy finish to the nails and are easier to apply with the upper ability of drying quicker as well.
5. The major con of this polish would be its use of UV light which can be damaging to the skin.

Gel nail polish kits and colors.

• Are you new to the world of gel polish? With a gel polish kit, you can do a complete a complete gel polish manicure on your own. It is usually cheaper than getting everything on its own.  A complete kit comes with
• A LED lamp
• Remover
• Cleanser pads
• Top coat, color and base coat
• Adhesion sanitizer and cuticle oil

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Gel polish change cost anywhere?

A polish change is a common service that almost all nail spas if not all nail spas offer. This service on the average costs about $10 anywhere in the U.S. The exact price of changing your gel nail polish generally depends on two major factors. Aside from these factors though, the general price is till  usually stable and reliable except you are getting some sort of celebrity treatment and nail change for your nails.  One of the factors is your location and the second is your choice of spa.  In most nail spas, to get a normal polish change will cost between $12 to $15 but when talking about gel polish, it costs between the range of $20 to about $25.  If you want to get additional services with the polish remover, it'll cost about $30. However, nails spas in Chicago offer a cheap price of gel polish change which is about just $5. So if you happen to live in Chicago, or maybe you are planning a trip to Chicago, seize the opportunity of their nail spa and get your nails change at cheap prices.

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If you happen to know more about the prices of gel polish change around you, please do write in the comment section below.

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